Normand Lee Gibbons

Our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, Normand Lee Gibbons, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 1, 2014. Norm was born June 9, 1931 in Los Angeles, California to Jesse Ernest and Eleanor Jane Asay Gibbons. His family later moved to Castle Dale and later St. George where he graduated from Dixie High School in 1949. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. He was stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany where he also volunteered at a Lutheran orphanage shaping his life-long commitment to serving others. Norm graduated from Brigham Young University in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, political science, speech and music. In 1959 he received a Master of Science degree in special education and psychology. Norm's entire professional career was focused on helping others. He was a placement counselor at the Utah State Industrial School, a juvenile delinquent counselor, school counselor, assistant principal and principal at Cyprus High School and Kearns Jr. High School. In 1967 Norm joined the staff at the University of Utah working as the first director of high school services, director of admissions, dean of student affairs and vice president of student affairs. He retired in 1996. He was also active in his community serving on the Pioneer Valley Hospital Board of Directors for a number of years. He was a founder of the Utah Boys Ranch and was also heavily involved in the establishment and subsequent operation of both the Utah Girls Village (now Utah Youth Village) and Lowell Bennion Community Service Center. Norm married Arva Gae Curtis August 3, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. He and Gae remained devoted to each other for the next 42 years until her passing January 27, 1998. He truly loved his home, neighbors and the west side. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a mission to the Central Atlantic States from 1950-1952. Norm held numerous callings throughout his life, including High Council and first counselor in the Stake Presidency. He had a beautiful voice and loved to sing right up to his last days. Norm is survived by his children: Gaston, Mike, Ron (Jennifer), Christy and Robert; grandchildren: Ryan, Robi, Elizabeth, Parker and Macy; brother, Don. Preceded in death by his wife, Gae; parents; sister, Jessie Jane Brandenburg. While we are heartbroken by his passing, we rejoice to know he is enjoying a joyous reunion with our dear mother and grandmother. Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Wentworth/Stratford special care community in Draper. In lieu of flowers, Norm requested contributions be made to the Utah Youth Village. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 6, 11:00 a.m. at the Jordan North Second Ward, 4270 South Falcon Street (4145 W.) Viewings will be held Wednesday, March 5, 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Thursday at the church, 10-10:45 a.m. Interment, Redwood Memorial Estates, 6500 South Redwood Road (1700 W.). Place of Birth:Los Angeles, California Place of Death:Draper, Utah